The Nigerian Shippers Council has hailed the CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Ltd. for the removal of container deposit charges for Nigerian Shippers.

Pius Akutah, the council’s executive secretary, hailed the company in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Akutah said removing the container deposit requirement for all new bookings, effective May 21, was a customer-focused policy that would boost fairness and reduce trade barriers for Nigerian shippers.

“The NSC lauds this initiative and views it as a milestone in ongoing efforts to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance, and boost competitiveness at Nigerian ports.

“This policy shift is expected to ease the financial burden on shippers, reduce disputes over refunds, and further drive reforms across the maritime sector.

“The removal of the container deposit aligns with industry-wide calls for more transparent and cost-effective practices within the port and logistics value chain,” he said.

Mr Akutah also commended the company for their valuable customer feedback.

He said that decisions and policies should be made by shipping companies based on feedback from customers and operators.

He said this would aid streamlining of operational procedures, simplify logistics, and improve service delivery.

He urged other shipping lines in Nigeria to adopt similar customer-focused policies for fairness, transparency, and improved service efficiency. 

(NAN)